Wis. Dems say AWOL lawmakers will return

MADISON —
The leader of Democrats in the Wisconsin Senate says his caucus will return to the state, but he won't say
when.

Senate Democrats fled the state nearly three weeks ago to block
a vote on Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip most public
workers of their collective bargaining rights.

But Senate Republicans used a procedural move on Wednesday to
pass the proposal without the Democrats present. The floor session
lasted just minutes, and the state Assembly is scheduled to take up
the measure on Thursday morning.

That's the last step before it can go to Walker for his signature.

Senate Democratic leader Mark Miller of Monona says Democrats
will "join the people of Wisconsin in taking back their
government," but he refused to say when.